OAKLAND -- The pitching-starved A's could be getting quite the reinforcement as early as next week, with right-hander Henderson Alvarez closing in on a return to a big league mound.
The rehabbing starter, who underwent shoulder surgery last July, is gearing up for what could be his final rehab start on Saturday with Triple-A Nashville. Barring any setbacks, A's manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday, "you could see him on the mound for us next."
Alvarez is scheduled for five to six innings with Nashville, and if he can get up to around 70 pitches, the A's anticipate releasing him from what's been a lengthy rehab.